Improvement in playing-cards



` J. 1-1. BLACK. PLAYING-CARDS.

Patented .13.11.11.1876.

Wz'zeam wmlr:

dinary UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE.

JOHN H. BLACK, OE NEW'YOHK, N. Y., AssIGNOE To VICTOR E. MAUCEE,

OE SAME PLACE.

4IMPROVEMENT IN PLAYING-CARDS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 171,978. dated January. 11, 1876; application filed November 17, 1875.

a card which has in each of' its four corners a numeral, symbol, letter, or character placed near an emblem ofthe suit..

Figures l and 2.are face views of cards that have the quadruple system of numerals combined with a peculiarmarginal application of emblems, all as hereinafter more fully described. y

,The cards A and B in the drawing are Orplaying-cards made ot' quadrangular form. These Cards contain in each ot' their corners a., b, e, and d, respectively, a numeral orletter representing value; thus, for example, the two Ot' spades contains in each corner the numeral 2. But in order, also, to distinguish the several suits from one another-for eX- ample, to distinguish the said two ot' spades from the two Ot' hearts-a miniature representation ot' the emblems or pips is printed near every such numeral in every corner, as shown.

As a modification, this row Ot' pips may at each corner extend along one margin only, or it may be placed along the two margins, so

upper corner of the` card may contain tive i' hearts along the upper edge and five along `the adjoining side, and in a similar manner the lower corners could thus be provided.

For court-cards, the letters K, Q, and J, or other convenient letters,` or Ythe representations ot crowns, helmets, and caps, or other appropriate symbols, will be used in place ot' the numerals on the other cards; but such letters and symbols are also to be used on the quadruple system. y

I am aware that a combination Ot' a number and emblem in a corner or a side ot' a playingcard is not new; also, that a miniature representation ot' the number ot' spots of the card in opposite diagonal corners is old therefore, such I do not claim.

By my invention I accomplish something beyond what has; heretofore been done-.namely, a means of insuring the reading ot' the card without exposure, except at any one of its four corners, and that equally well in the hands ot right and let't hand players.

I Claim as my invention- .i

A playing-card containing in each ot' its four corners a numeral, word, or letter indicating its value, together with a miniature emblem or emblems indicative alike ot' its value, character, and suit, suoli emblems being also made to correspond in number With the spots on the face of the card, substantially as described ad shown.

J. H. BLACK. Witnesses:

ERNEST C. WEBB, O. A. WEIDNER. 

